Labor leader Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, died at 96. Her death marks the end of a career dedicated to labor and civil rights advocacy. Huerta's activism led to significant legislative changes for farmworkers in California.
Huerta, who met Cesar Chavez in the 1950s, organized boycotts of produce to improve working conditions for farmworkers. Her efforts resulted in the first legislation granting collective bargaining rights to California’s farmworkers. She continued her work into later life, advocating for farmworker rights and serving on congressional commissions.
Huerta's legacy includes founding the National Women’s Hall of Fame and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She supported Democratic candidates throughout her career, including Hillary Clinton in 2016. Her work remains influential in labor and civil rights movements.
The death of Huerta, a pivotal figure in the labor movement, underscores the ongoing impact of her advocacy for workers' rights and social justice.